Tesla Set up USB music: How to listen to lossless audio quality

Did you know that your Tesla not only streams music, but also lossless audio playback via a USB stick? With a suitable USB storage device, you can enjoy your favorite music in the highest quality - regardless of the Internet or streaming subscriptions. Here you can find out how to store music on a USB drive and play it in your Tesla playback.

Why music via USB in the Tesla?

Storing music locally on a USB stick offers you many advantages:

Best audio qualityWith formats such as FLAC you can listen to music in lossless quality - better than with Spotify or Apple Music.
Independent of the internetPerfect for journeys in areas with poor connections.
No streaming limits: You decide what you listen to - ideal for rare songs or foreign music that streaming services often don't offer.
Without premium subscription: You don't need a paid streaming subscription or the Tesla-premium connectivity.

How to set up your Tesla-USB stick

1. select the correct USB port

Use the USB port in the glove compartment - This supports data transfer and is suitable for dashcam recordings and music. Not all ports, such as those in the center console, can play music.

Important: Music can only be played from a USB storage device, not from smartphones or tablets.

2. format USB drive

If your Tesla does not have a pre-installed USB stick or you want to use a larger memory:

Settings > Security > Format USB drive.
Tesla automatically creates the necessary folders - a fast SSD stick is the best choice here.

3. add music

After formatting, insert the stick into your PC and create a folder called Music folder.

Any subfolders for artists, albums or genres are possible.
Tesla automatically recognizes titles, artists and albums if your files have the right metadata are included.

Supported formats: FLAC, MP3, WAV - but not AAC (iTunes format).

4. music in Tesla play

Insert the USB stick back into the glove compartment port.
The app USB appears in the menu where you can browse your music by song, album, artist or folder structure.

Note: Voice commands or the search function do not work for USB music.

Conclusion: Lossless sound in the Tesla

The Tesla-audio system is designed for premium sound - and with a USB stick you can exploit its full potential. No compression, no loss of quality - just crystal clear sound. Perfect for anyone who loves music.